Position Highlights:

Full-time, hybrid position
Compensation: $110K-$120K annually
Location: Chicago, IL

Organization Overview:

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago (CCAC) was founded in 1917 as the charitable arm of the Catholic Church in Chicago, designed to foster collaboration at the broadest level across all communities. Over the past century, they have grown to be one of the largest human service providers in the Chicago metropolitan region.

With an operating budget of $180 million, 785 employees, and 2,000 volunteers, CCAC serves 270,000+ individuals annually across Lake and Cook counties.

CCAC accompanies anyone in need, regardless of their faith, gender, race, or ethnicity. In fact, the majority of the people served each day are not Catholic. The same is true for the majority of the people who work with CCAC – they partner with the organization because they are drawn to the values and mission.

CCAC work is organized around three Impact Areas:

Meet Immediate Needs: These programs provide a first point of connection to broader support for over 217,000 individuals. These include people facing hunger; families on the edge of homelessness; people facing unexpected financial emergencies; and people who need help now but don’t know where to turn.

Strengthen Mothers & Families: These programs provide wraparound support to more than 60,000 caregivers and children every year, including young mothers and their babies; families with children ages 0-5; single parents charting a path to stability and strength; families fleeing unsafe homes; and survivors of suicide loss.

Build Communities for Seniors, Veterans and Immigrants: These supports focus on promoting independent living while still being connected, serving more than 42,000 people, including seniors building lives of dignity and well-being; veterans building lives of healing and growth; and immigrant families seeking a new start.

Position Summary:

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago seeks a major gift fundraiser to contribute to the vitality and growth of Catholic Charities on the North Shore of Chicago, IL.

The Director of Major Giving is a key player within the Giving team, responsible for seeking opportunities to engage, solicit, and steward major gifts, beginning at the $10,000 level. Reporting to the AVP of Principal & Legacy Giving, the Director will be responsible for a portfolio of approximately 150 major gift donors, and will also identify and qualify new major gift prospects. The Director will be a visible presence at special events, such as donor cultivation events and fundraisers. This role has a hybrid schedule.

What You Will Be Responsible For:

Serve as the primary relationship manager for a portfolio of approximately 150 major gift donors and prospects, focusing on individuals capable of giving $10,000 or more. Develop and execute personalized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each donor, adhering to annual metrics established by Institutional Advancement leadership and maintaining detailed records of all interactions in Raiser’s Edge.
Conduct ongoing research to identify and qualify new major gift prospects. Establish benchmarks for donor engagement and refine research and cultivation processes to support long-term growth in giving. Collaborate with colleagues to ensure a coordinated and strategic approach to donor development.
Actively participate in donor cultivation events, fundraising activities, and community engagement opportunities throughout the assigned territory. Represent Catholic Charities as a visible and trusted presence, building meaningful relationships with donors and prospects through in-person meetings, events, and strategic communications.
Collaborate with the VP of Institutional Advancement, Chief Executive Officer, and other stakeholders to secure new and renewed major gifts. Contribute to the planning and execution of fundraising strategies that support major gifts, planned giving, and special campaigns, ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals and donor engagement efforts.
Engage in ongoing learning, training, and skill development, seeking and applying feedback to continuously improve performance and contribute to team and organizational success.

What You Bring to the Role:

Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) or in a related field of study.
5+ years of relevant fundraising experience.
Experience managing donor relationships with demonstrated success closing gifts of $10,000+.
Excellent interpersonal, writing, and listening skills.
Ability to develop and maintain long-term relationships with donors and prospects.
Proficiency with fundraising CRMs (preferably Raiser's Edge) and prospect research tools.
Willingness to be hands-on in a role that requires a high level of energy and professionalism.

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Structure:

Compensation includes a salary of $110,000-$120,000 annually, commensurate with experience. This is a full-time, hybrid position (3 days in office). Catholic Charities offices are located at 721 North LaSalle Street in Chicago.

The competitive benefits package includes:

BlueCross/Blue Shield EPO/PPO Health Insurance
Dental and Vision Insurance
Employer-Paid Life, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
Paid Parental Leave
PTO, Sick Time, and 15 Paid Holidays
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
Tuition Reimbursement
Professional Development Opportunities and Service Awards
Additional Voluntary Benefits

Our Values:

Courageous Compassion: Welcome and serve all with an open heart, empathic listening, and a commitment to radical hospitality.
Solidarity: Embrace shared humanity by celebrating and giving voice to our differences and choosing the path of collaboration and inclusion.
Faith-filled Hope and Joy: Uplift each other in times of darkness and celebrate together in times of light, leaning in with humility, humor, and hope.
Meaningful and Measurable Impact: Meet human need with love, balance immediate action with lasting change, and act with accountability through dialogue, analysis, and reflection.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter through the NextGroup website by August 24, 2026. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The NextGroup search team will contact you regarding next steps.

About NextGroup:

NextGroup is Chicagoland's leading executive search firm and nonprofit talent network connecting mission-driven organizations with exceptional leaders who drive impact. We customize talent solutions with our nonprofit partners, recruiting permanent, fractional, and interim professionals across executive leadership, finance, development, and operations.

We have a network of 10,000+ professionals in Chicagoland and beyond. We reject cookie-cutter approaches and instead partner with you to build human capital strategies that match your unique growth and capacity-building needs. NextGroup also provides career coaching and transition services to professionals advancing in the social impact sector.

Catholic Charities of Chicago

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Director of Major Giving (Full-time, hybrid)